7/7/08

Happy Fourth of July everyone! What a day here in Wisconsin. A lot of neighbors had parties I wanted to go to, but my family's keeping me quiet again after my last two heartworm shots. I can't wait to chase a ball again!! I ask Mom every day, but she still says no!! Although we do take walks, so it's not a complete loss.

I have discovered a whole new part of our house though. Dodger and I didn't like the fireworks very much, so Mom stayed in with us. The really loud ones scared Dodger upstairs. Mom went to check on him and I didn't want to be alone, so I followed her up too. Boy was she happy to see me up there. "What a good boy! . . . What a brave boy! . . . What a smart boy!" (She's very excitable.) I like it up there! I go up there all the time now.

I only have a couple more weeks of R&R, then I'm off to get "fixed" -- whatever that is -- Mom says don't ask too many questions. Then I'll be ready to find my forever family. My dream family would be one who has time a few times a day to give me a job -- frisbee, ball, obedience, walks, playing with other dogs -- I'm so happy when I'm moving. I do like to be with people in the house too, but I'm ready to play anytime. I like other dogs, but could be the only dog too because it's more lovin' for me and I looove the lovin'. Mom says I'm so well behaved, but I just like to make her happy!

I'll keep you posted on this "getting fixed" business -- I think I'm fine just the way I am!

6/23/08

I'm finally past my four weeks of rest for my first heartworm shot and I am feeling good!! I've been catching a few frisbees and taking long walks -- I am one happy dog! Mom says I have another trip to the vet for two more shots -- I guess that means back to leash walks for a while. Oh well, I'm loving it right now.

Mom says I'll be ready for my forever home in about 8 weeks. I hope they really like to play frisbee, toss a ball or have another job for me to learn -- I'm happiest when I work -- although Mom says I do have an amazing off switch when we go in the house. I like to learn new things too, we're working on "leave it" right now -- I get it when there's food in Mom's hand, but a ball's another thing altogether! I guess I'm not perfect, but I do come pretty darn close!

6/9/08

Can you believe it's been two weeks since I went to the vet's office, I didn't think I could take one more week of walks in the yard. But, my foster family's finally letting me go on walks around the block and play a little tug -- boy it feels good to be back in the game!!

There have been a lot of thunderstorms here in WI -- I don't mind thunder and lightning, but was less than thrilled when my foster dad carried me into the basement when the sirens went off. Stairs are not my thing -- but it is remarkably cool in the basement and really not a bad place to hang out afterall. Later that day, I tried a few stairs myself and found a nice spot to lay down on a landing -- it's a good vantage point to see what's happening in the house. At bedtime, my foster mom told me "let's go to bed Dash" and started up the stairs, so I followed her -- or at least far enough to see the hallway up there. I've been wondering where they all go at night!! Maybe I'll go up there and smell around another day!

Yesterday, we had two puppy visitors at our house -- whew they don't know anything about balls. Dodger wrestled and chased with them, it was fun to watch. Sometimes Dodger and I had to guard them when they strayed too far from the porch and then they'd follow us when my foster parents called me. They were cute little shavers, but may I repeat, they knew nothing about balls!!!

By the way, do any of you know why I can't chase that loud machine they roll around the grass. Looks like fun to me, but my family keeps sending me in the house! What's with that???

6/1/08

Okay it's been one week and two days since I went to the vet to get my heartworm shot. I keep telling my foster family I feel fine, but I only get to walk in the yard. Yesterday we did walk down the street and back. I think I'm ready for a long walk or maybe even a run. My foster mom has other ideas: Short leash walks for another week or so. I'm doing my best to convince her otherwise. I think a good game of toss would be just the ticket. The only thing as good as playing ball is when people pet me . . . I love to be petted! Right under my chin is good . . .Right under my collar, that's really good . . . Oh, and the front of my ears, oh that feels good. Okay maybe I can just rest a while . . . oh try under the collar again!

5/19/08

Hi everyone, Dash here. I've been in Wisconsin with my foster family now for a month. They tell me I've come a long way from the shy boy with his tail between his legs and his head hanging down. I don't remember being afraid, because I'm so happy now.

At first, I only went in the family room and outside. The kitchen has this weird floor that doesn't feel anything like grass! Then my foster mom put really tempting food on the floor. I would stretch as far as I could to get it without taking my legs off the carpet, I want to be a polite guest after all. ( I don't understand why she laughed at that, I think she may be a little off.) Anyway, as much as I tried to resist walking on the floor, I couldn't pass up cream cheese!! And my foster family wasn't mad, they were excited and had a contest to see who could get me the farthest. It was quite undignified. After a week, I couldn't take it andI finally just came across to save them from their embarassing behavior!

I live with three kids, who I like a lot. We take them to school every morning and pick them up every afternoon. The house is more fun when they're home. Our back yard is fun too. My foster brother Dodger and I share it with Butter and Callie the neighbor dogs and their family. I keep asking everyone to play ball with me, but they will only toss it right to me. Hello -- everyone knows you throw a ball away from a dog. They also make me sit by them when I start running. (I'm asking around the neighborhood, clearly advanced education would help these folks!)

They do have great toys here. My two favorites are squeaky balls and floppy discs. Although I also really like to shake the remains of the soccer ball that Dodger and I created. Dodger likes to play tug, so sometimes I'll do that too. Dodger growls when he plays tug. I didn't like that at first, but now I know that's how Dodger plays! My foster mom also has some really tasty gardening gloves that Dodger and I shared -- yum!

My foster mom and dad walk me every morning, it's my favorite part of the day. They tell me I'm such a good boy, because I don't pull too much on the leash. Although I've noticed them tapping their feet, when I stop too much at trees. Dodger really likes to chase squirrels. I've followed him a couple of times, but when mom called me I came right back. Dodger says I'm a kiss up.

I"ve spent a lot of time at the vet's office (FYI -- I don't like their floor or the one at the pet store.) They do have nice cats though and I do feel so much better since I'm over kennel cough and worms. Now I feel like eating again. Mom's been telling to me the next visit to the vet is going to be tough. If things get too rocky, I'll hole up in my crate: I like it there.

Mom's at that machine again, so I just put my head on her lap. (She's a pushover for my big baby browns) Yes, I know, I"m a good boy. I'm very handsome. I've sooo smart. Ahhh . . . this is the life!

5/12/08